Qiantong, The Ancient Town on Cobbles

The entrance to the ancient town of Qiantong.[Photo/china.org.cn]

A half hour's drive from Ninghai county in east China's Zhejiang province, the ancient town of Qiantong is wedged between two mountains. Recorded in the opening pages of a journal by Xu Xiake, the great Chinese travel writer and geographer in Ming Dynasty(1368–1644), Qiantong has become a popular destination for tourists today.

The village grew from a family clan surnamed Tong, whose ancestors moved there in 1228 AD. Now the village has about two thousand households, among which over ninety percent are descendents of the Tong family.

Similar to many ancient townships in east China's Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces, Qiantong presents an out-of-the-way atmosphere with its small population, remote location, time-honored large family residences and widespread family legends.

What's unique about Qiantong is the combination of Chinese philosophy and science imbued in its architecture.

For instance, the narrow lanes interlacing the township are all paved with cobbles, which are smooth and shiny thanks to relentless polishing by local residents and tourists. This is because in ancient times, shoes were made from cloth, so to prevent their shoes from getting wet and dirty, the builders of Qiantong town chose cobbles as the material for their roads.

Despite being a small place, navigating Qiantong can prove difficult. There is an easy method for tourists to find their way however, which is to follow the watercourse. The water is drawn from a nearby creek and channelled into artificial canals which encircle the town. The slim canals not only grant the town an idyllic ambience, but also serve as a place for housewives to wash clothes, and a playground for children.

The general layout of the township is in accordance with the Chinese concepts of Yin and Yang. The houses and ancestral halls are enclosed with layers of roads.

The Tong family clan is known for their respect for, and pursuit of, academic success. One of the major sights in the ancient town is a large house which used to be an academy for local residents. Prestigous scholars were often invited to the academy to give lectures. As a result, the Tong family created a proud list of government officials and teachers.

Details of the Tong family history are exhibited at a folk art museum in the ancient township. Visitors can learn about and begin to understand the traditions and lifestyles of locals, through the exhibitions of furniture and family heirlooms on show at the museum.